New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-07-02
DIR. DARLING'S WILL PROBATED.

CLOSING LONG AND REMARKABLE CAoh DHfo''h
SURROGATE ROLLINS.
The long contest over the will OF William Darling Pro-
fessor of Anatomy in the Medical Department OF the
University of the City Of NewYork, was ended yester'
day by decision rendered by Surrogate Rollins, AUNT
ting the instrument to probate The surrogate oecoes
that Professor Darling Of sound mind and memory
until the very close OF lis e and was not unduy in
fuenced by Mrs Deacroix, for whom without DOUBT no
entertained sentiments OF the highest affection and re-
gard shown letters to her. In one OF
which he spoke of her standing nrst ana alone IN
his affections and another which be tells her he has
gate finds that the allegation OF undue influence Is Tt
sustained and that the will gives expression 10 the vol
untary and genuine tesamentary purpose OF Its maker
DR. Darling died December 20, 1854 and by MS
Esteemed and valued friend" Mrs Amelia Delacroix
of Yonkers. The will was contested by DAVID anu Jon
Darling, brothers of the decedent, and by several
nephews and neces The principal contestant however
was Mrs Caharine Leerts who insisted that sne Was
the daughter OF the testator Her story was sing M
one. She the widow OF Robert Leferts whom sue
married in 1897 and who died In xSo% se married in
1853 Her father william Darling ana her ih9lner
Anna Van Onda and Mrs e 9r h %a1 anrr INV
1896 1852 her father was convicted on testimony
charging him with sustaining improper relations win
his own daughter. Mrs. Leferts. He was sentenced to
State Prison Tor ten years. Al,
ion was whether Professor Darling was the same NIL
lam Darling who was the father OF Mrs Leerts Pro,
lessor Darling who horn in Scotland came 10 TINS
city about 1920 The testimony showed that In 1870 he
was tutor in school at what was then kpoy 1 as
Greenwich lane and Amos-st. About the year 1857 ne
entered the family OF the late Dr. Valentine Mot as
tutor He pupil in the Medical Department OF ue
University and after that for several years was demon
sraor of anatomy In 1852 he became an attend
ing physician the Cholera Hospit on staten Island
grant Hospital under DIR. John NJ Carnoehan IN lSoo
country and then took tho position of professor Of ana
omy, which he held until his death .,.oo r,o,,,s
The trial OF the occupied nearly three months
tx Senator John q. Boyd represented Mrs. Deacoix,
Hamilton Odell and Walter Edwards appeared for the
Lcferts The latter insisted upon talking when not on
the witness stand and several occasions MADE scene
II The ceI sH Tan as at Including
valuable anatomical collection and surgical instruihen,s
Medical Department Of the University being represented
before the Surrogate by James L. skiiln; -, ,n,,,
The remarkable condolences In the ives OF "lliaih
Darling and Of Professor Darling are dwe upon ny me
Surrogate In his decision wno finds that beyond Ia
thinks simply incredible that Professor Darling could
have been identical with the illiterae father OF MIS-
Lefierts, who had been farm hand boatnian and
policeman. The latter restored to citizenship In
January, 1866, by the Governor. The professor was
admitted to citizenship in 1854.
TESTIMONY IN REGARD TO THE SUBWAY STOCK
The defence In the McMahonFlynn litigation over
tho stock OF the electrical subway companies made
some progress Thursday after repeated adjournmonts
had had since the for the plaintiff was closed
Edward Lauterbach the counsel and president OF the
tons Oida1ed Electrical Subway Company, was ex-
much to which the pIaintiii had testified Ho denied
that he had OF the conversations OF which Mo
MahOn spoke. lie said that Mcmahon called on him
al was interested In company which was to use
the Doisett ystcm, but you know that hos fallen
through; now | would like to SEQ II / could get the
mon interested In your plan" Mr. Lauterbach
said that Mcmahon thought he ought to have romuner
alton from the witness II he secured capital for tho
enterprise. Tho witness answered that he thought
thoso who secured valuable franchise ought TO
compensate Mcmahon II they obtained control OF the
company Mcmahon subsequently said that he
unable 10 secure the financial aid he had expected
The case viii DO continued today before Commits
sOncr Shiolds. r.